SAGE lectures for Spring 2018 announced
Topics include the Vietnam War, refugee resettlement, hemp and more
CENTER VALLEY, Pa. (Jan. 30, 2018) – Senior Adults Gaining Enrichment (SAGE), an outreach program of Penn State Lehigh Valley for adults age 55 and older, has announced the schedule for its spring 2018 four-part lecture series. Each SAGE session is held on the first Friday of the month (with the exception of May) and begins with coffee at 10:30 a.m., the featured speaker at 11 a.m. and lunch at noon. All SAGE lectures are held in room 135 at Penn State Lehigh Valley located at 2809 Saucon Valley Road in Center Valley.
The mission of SAGE is to encourage intellectual and cultural enrichment for seniors, 55 and older, by providing a stimulating college-level lecture, workshop and seminar environment through a self-funded, self-directed and member-driven program.
Spring 2018 Lecture Schedule
Friday, March 2
Vietnam War – a Personal Story
Tom Roney, Training and Leadership Development
The Vietnam War was a key component of a tumultuous time in the country’s history. Roney will share his story of college, the draft and his two-year commitment to serving his country. This is a firsthand account with photos and documents that support his version of getting drafted, going to training and then off to fight a war halfway around the world.
Friday, April 6
The refugee story in the Lehigh Valley
Marla Snell, Site Director, Bethany Ministries
Snell has been working in the field of refugee resettlement since 2000. The resettlement program was small, so she also did some work for the Refugee Social Services state employment grant program. In April 2016, Snell was hired by Bethany Christian Services to be Site Director for Refugee Resettlement in Allentown. This is the only resettlement agency in the Lehigh Valley area. She will share how Bethany Services supports refugees moving into the area, and the challenges and joys refugees face when they acclimate to their new community.
Friday, May 11
Critically Navigating the Information Ecosystem
Jennifer Jarson, Head Librarian, Penn State Lehigh Valley
The information ecosystem offers people an overwhelming amount of information to navigate and process, including scholarly research, a 24-hour news cycle and social media. Yet sheer volume of information isn’t the only challenge, algorithms and filter bubbles, confirmation bias, misinformation and fake news, and more complicate the experience. Jarson will discuss this complex ecosystem and how people can become more critical information consumers.
Friday, June 1
Hemp; History, Demise and Rebirth of a Versatile Crop
Erica McBride, Executive Director, PA Hemp Council
Industrial Hemp was an important crop and a major industry in Pennsylvania until the 1940s. What was a crop with hundreds of uses including textiles, rope, canvas, seed oil and livestock feed is today the most sustainable, nutritious and versatile crop on the planet with far more uses than people could even imagine. A member of the PA Hemp Council will lead a discussion on the history of Hemp in Pennsylvania. Attendees will learn how federal laws forced the demise of Hemp production in the United States and how recent state legislation is allowing for a comeback of this versatile, potentially lucrative crop across the Commonwealth.
The cost per lecture is $20, or attend all four for $60. Lunch is included. For more information or to register, contact Andrea Tessier at 610-285-5026 or att3@psu.edu.
About Penn State Lehigh Valley
Penn State Lehigh Valley provides a Penn State University education in a small campus setting that integrates individualized teaching, research, and dynamic community outreach. With its convenient location in Center Valley, traditional students and adult learners can choose from many options including 9 bachelor’s programs, which can be completed at the campus, as well as access to 160 academic programs offered by other Penn State campuses. In addition, students and community members who have a scalable business idea are invited to participate in professional development offered by Lehigh Valley LaunchBox, a business accelerator for early stage entrepreneurs. The campus’ diverse Continuing Education and Outreach programs offer opportunities for professional development, business training, and youth programming. For more information, visit lehighvalley.psu.edu.
Information and image provided to TVL by:
Dennille Schuler
PR Specialist | University Relations
